Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Master comes to Central Florida

By Rebecca Eugene


Poincianna, FL -- Leonardo Sandres, one of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
masters of Bahia, Brazil came to speak at the Bellago fitness center on
Wednesday. The audience was eager for the arrival of Sandres.

Sandres spoke about his 18 years of experience in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
and the satisfaction it gives him as a fighter. "Jiu-jitsu isn't about how powerful one is or about the strength one posses, but of the power of leverage". He tells a story about the challenges he faced as a beginner fighter and some of the weak fighting habits he used to use. "Knowing when to breath is the key to gaining composure during a fight", says Sandres as he demonstrates a chokehold on a volunteer.

There were many techniques demonstrated during the speech to show the importance of certain moves during a fight match. Side control was the most demonstrated fight position. According to Sandres, once you get your opponent into side control the rest of the match is in your hands. "There are many ways to get into the side control position and you must try to make that your goal in the beginning of that match to show your dominance".

"Leonardo really knows his stuff, and his techniques are awesome," said Teddy Bayonne of Poincianna.

In his interview, Sandres explains the build of character that is portrayed during jiu-jitsu training. "Many people undermind the importance of self control. I have had students who have taken my class to help them get over addictions and anger issues".

Sandres’ interest in Jiu- jitsu started as a young teen that was always constantly teased at school. He was first introduced to a form of fighting known as capoiera, but he found
jiu-jitsu to be more competitive and the techniques to be more precise.
"Capoeira is the fighting style of my native city and it did help me
learn self defense, but Jiu-jitsu helped me to gain more control over
my strengths."

"Becoming a black belt was one of my biggest achievements as a fighter- not because it means I'm a good fighter, but because of the inner strength I was able to let out."

"It such an honor to be able to meet one of the best fighters in the game, we hope he'd come back to teach a class someday," said Manny Rodriquez,a member of the fitness center.


Leonardo Sandres isn't a trainer here in the states but he is a respected fighter in the jiu-jitsu world and is welcomed back here anytime.